Irving Building $400-Million Tissue Manufacturing Facility In Georgia
Irving Consumer Products is investing $400-million and creating 200 jobs in a tissue manufacturing facility in Macon-Bibb County, Georgia, the state governor announced Wednesday.
“We welcome Irving Consumer Products to Georgia and appreciate the company’s significant investment here,” said Governor Nathan Deal in a press release. “The jobs created at this facility will provide meaningful opportunities in the Macon community and allow the company to utilize our robust logistics infrastructure to reach its customer base more efficiently.”
Irving Consumer Products – a subsidiary of J.D. Irving, Limited – produces store brand paper products for several North America retailers, as well as tissue brands like MAJESTA®, ROYALE® and Scotties® in the U.S.
Irving Paper hadn’t yet posted a release on its own web site but Robert Irving, president of Irving Consumer Products, said the company was eager to set up a production facility south of the border.
“We’re pleased to be expanding our business in the United States,” said Irving in the release from the governor’s office. “We’re excited by the opportunity in Macon and in Georgia. We’re looking forward to building a strong relationship with the wonderful people of this community. Selecting Macon for our new facility provides us with an opportunity to establish a footprint in a region that has proven itself as being a strong supporter of business.
“It will allow us to reach key markets, and will help to continue to drive our growth. This expansion is possible because of the commitment of our employees, customers and suppliers. It is their support that has allowed us to grow and expand.”
Irving said the company looked at 60 other possible locations throughout North America, but ultimately decided to locate the business in Macon because of the people, reported the local NBC affiliate station WMGT.
He also emphasized the sizeable trade and investment relationship between the state and Canada.
“Over 330,000 jobs in the state depend on trade and investment with Canada, and today we are proud to add to that total right here in Macon,” said Irving.
Irving made the announcement at the Historic Terminal Station in Macon. This was obviously at important development to politicians at the local, state and national levels, with even U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in attendance.
“I’m glad to be here to celebrate this new and exciting investment in Georgia’s economy, in Georgia’s workers,” Ross said.
Construction will begin this summer and is expected to be completed in 2019. At the height of construction, more than 540 people will be employed on-site.